10 Best Slushie Machines Reviewed & Buyer’s Guide

Hot days make us crave cold drinks. And even if it’s not a hot day, people still love sipping drinks whenever we hang out with friends or even if we’re just by ourselves. You can never go wrong with a good cup of a slushie. 

With slushie machines, you never have to go to a 7/11 to enjoy your favorite slushie flavor. Instead, you can make them in the comfort of your own home or if you’re planning to set up a slushie business but do not know where to begin.

We hear you.

This post will share everything we know about slushie machines and our reviews for the top 10 models we encountered.

Types of Slushie Machines

Slushie machines come in three main variants. First, a little heads up these appliances need to be connected to an external water pump, so you will need to allow some space and prepare for the installation cost. On the bright side, having so will eliminate the constant manual water refilling for the machine. 

Liquid Autofill Slushie Machine

A reservoir of the liquid product mix is where the unit takes the ingredients from and refills the main container when necessary.

Powdered Autofill Slushie Machine

This works quite similarly to the unit above, but the difference is that this one uses a powdered mix and automatically mixes it with the already stored water. 

Standard Pourover Slushie Machine

You need to do the refilling yourself for this type of unit. First, add the syrup and water into the reservoir container, which will mix by itself. The syrup and water should be replenished once it reaches halfway through the container. It will take some time to make the final product, but this unit is the cheapest type of commercial slushie machine on the market today. 

Our 10 Picks for Home Slushie Machines

1. Margaritaville Tahiti Frozen Drink Maker

There is a reason why this model is at the very top of our list. It’s not just built for slushies. Its versatility makes it a perfect device for concocting other frozen drinks.

If you are serving guests, the Margaritaville Tahiti offers a capacity of 72 ounces in 3 separate pitchers, allowing you to make multiple servings at once and store a lot of drinks. No more waiting time for your thirsty guests!

One great characteristic about this is that it does not produce a lot of noise when it operates compared to the usual loud sounds of conventional blenders and mixers. As a result, you can have a decent conversation with other people while waiting for your drinks to finish. 

Over the six months we have used it, we never encountered any problems. Also, the unit comes with a 1-year warranty. 

Slushies, milkshakes, smoothies, snow cones – the Margaritaville Tahiti can handle it with grace and efficiency. 

2. VBENLEM Single Bowl Slush Frozen Drink Machine

This one is another great choice for entertaining guests of not more than 20 people with its capacity of 2.6 gallons or 10 liters. 

The VBENLEM Single Bowl machine is made of high-quality stainless steel, guaranteed to last a long time and its interior parts. 

The manufacturer kept the consumer in mind when they designed the device. As a result, everything is user-friendly, from the machine down to the control panel. 

The control panel allows you to choose between day and night mode, which regulates power consumption and the overall operation of the machine. 

The mixer rotates at 360°, ensuring that your drink is evenly mixed – another notable feature of this model. 

3. Nostalgia RSM650 32 – Ounce Slush Drink Maker

Portability is this model’s unique feature. The Nostalgia Slush Machine RSM650 is in style with its elegant red color paired with high-quality material for its build. It also has a capacity of 32 ounces. 

This can be a perfect appliance to own during the summer because of its fun design. You won’t have to go through the hassle when cleaning the device because it can easily be removed from the base and its detachable drip tray with a cup. In addition, it is great for concocting and serving smooth drinks with its easy-flow spout. 

The Nostalgia drink makers can give you the best cocktail drinks and iced drinks that are sure to quench your thirst and give you refreshment on a hot day. The machine can accommodate many ice cubes and salt to retain the temperature of your cold drinks so you can enjoy them for a long time.

4. Zoku Slushy Maker Cup

This may come as a bit of a shock to you as it did to us, but it turns out there is an individual slushie-making cup in the market today! So for those who love slushies but are not willing to make the huge purchase for a large-scale slushie maker, this one is perfect for you!

Convenience and compactness are the key features of this small slushie cup. 

Many brands are already making individual slushie caps, but this model particularly stood out for us. The Zoku Slushy Maker Cup has more than 1000 positive feedback on Amazon with a good 4.5 rating. Safe to say, it’s one of the top-performing models in the market today. 

Zoku slushie maker comes in 5 different colors and can prepare your favorite slushie drink in a matter of minutes. 

A single unit package includes a 1.8oz inner freezer core, an outer cup, and a slushie spoon. So if you want a quick and easy solution to your slushie cravings, this is made for you.

5. VEVOR Industrial Slushy Machine with 2x 12L Tanks

A far cry from the individual serving style of the previous model, the Vevor Slushie Machine is designed for large-scale slushie making. 

The unit has two tanks, each with a capacity of 3.2 gallons or 12 liters. That amounts to a total of 24 liters which is already more than enough to serve a large group of people. 

Despite its incredible capacity, the unit is pretty compact with a sturdy build. Each tank has its own control panel that displays on a digital screen. The dispenser has a designated holder for cups to avoid accidental spills.

An estimated 30-45 minutes wait is all it takes to produce 100 slushie cups. This capacity is great for entertaining guests and those who want to make this a business and are planning to put up a spot in commercial establishments and areas. 

Overall, this machine is not just about slushies; it can also work with other cold drinks like coffee, cocktails, sodas, and many more. 

6. Margarita Girl Double-Bowl Frozen Drink Machine

Here is another heavy-duty slushie maker for you. Margarita Girl may be the right model for you if you’re looking for power and style rolled into one. 

With high-quality body material and an air-cooled compressor, this powerhouse machine can make up to 50 cups of delicious slushies at once. The aesthetics aren’t so bad either. It sports a sleek, black look for its base.

The mixer blades of the Margarita Girl Double-Bowl Frozen Drink Machine are made of stainless steel and can retain the temperature of the drinks being stored in the tank. In addition, the spout is big enough to avoid overflows and spills. 

7. Happybuy Slushy Machine 110V (12L x 2 Tank)

Here is another double tank machine with a 12 L capacity that equals 24L of delicious slushies. With the Happybuy 110V Slushy Machine, you can enjoy various cold and frozen drinks.

Another great thing about this model is that it can also be used for commercial and business purposes because of its large capacity and fast mixing time of 30 mins per batch. 

Other great features include a dual compressor with low energy consumption, easily detachable drip trays, and double-sided refrigeration that performs better than the ones in other slushie machine models. 

8. Margaritaville Key West Frozen Concoction Maker with Auto or Manual Shave and Blend

This is one of the most versatile drink-making machines we have encountered. The unit is a cross between a blender and a concoction maker that has the power to shave ice and mix it evenly with the other ingredients for the drink. It has a capacity of 32 ounces that is suitable for serving a few guests.

The main panel contains the machine’s manual controls but can also be set to operate automatically and has a well-designed spout for easy pouring. All in all, this is a pretty good machine for typical home use and concoction of several kinds of refreshments. 

9. Nostalgia SCM525BL Vintage Countertop Slushie Maker

Best Feature/s: Outstanding drink-making performance and other ice treated like snow cones and shaved ice, paired with a unique design and powerful stainless mixing blades to break the ice.

For frozen snacks with shaved and crushed ice consistency, this is a great machine to make those with. The prime reason is that it has these powerful steel blades that can break and crush ice blocks.

It also has a safety switch to protect your hands while making the drinks. In addition, the package includes other tools for preparation like an ice scoop, a removable cup handle, and two cups. Not to mention the unit, which sports a classic vintage look that uniquely appeals to the kitchen counter. 

The Nostalgia Vintage can make slushies and snow cones but cannot break down the ice well enough for drinks with smoother consistencies like milkshakes and smoothies. The unit is also heavy and bulky, making transport and storage difficult, so it may need to have a permanent spot on the kitchen counter. 

10. Bravo Italia 2 Bowl Slushie Machine

Best Feature/s: Slushie machine great for commercial use. Built with a premium grade stainless steel body, 2 separate tanks can serve around 100 cups in a single batch. 

For commercial use, you will need a slushie machine that can produce many servings in single batch production. Fortunately, the Bravo Italia 2 can do just that. It can provide you with 100 cups of slushies – perfect for whenever there is a huge demand.

Another feature we love is its self-freezing mechanism that works well in producing ice and maintaining temperature. As a result, drinks are ready in just 30 minutes and work for various frozen beverages from slushies to margaritas. In addition, the unit comes with an easy pour spout and a drip tray. 

It may be heavy and bulky, but for a good reason, because it is built with high-quality, sturdy material to support its heavy-duty performance. Unfortunately, it also costs quite a lot since it is designed for commercial use. 

Criteria for Choosing a Slushie Machine

The following are some factors to keep in mind when deciding on the kind of slushie machine you want to buy:

1. Serving Demand

The first thing you need to figure out is the number of people you expect to serve drinks to. Slushie machines come in different sizes and volume capacities. You would do well with the individual maker if it is only for personal use.

On the other hand, if you usually serve guests, the Margarita Girl Double Bowl can cater up to 50 cups. But for large-scale servings like big events and parties, a machine with at least 24L capacity is best for you. 

2. Purpose

This is somewhat related to the first factor. Why do you need a machine? Is it mainly for home use, or are you planning to make a business from it? Whichever one it is, there is certainly a slushie machine model that fits your needs and purpose. Friendly reminder to take the time to learn how to operate a slushie machine before anything else. 

3. Refrigeration System

We have previously mentioned that slushie machines have built-in refrigeration capability for better temperature retention and ice-making ability. But for those without, you need to make ice separately and put them into the machine to make your drinks. 

4. Beverages you usually make

What kinds of drinks are you fond of making? Slushie machines have specializations, and only a few can successfully make frozen treats and smooth ice beverages. Therefore, you should know which of those drinks you are most likely to make often and base your decision on that. If you want some ideas for yummy slushie recipes, visit the link. 

5. Compliance with ADA standards

This is usually applicable for commercial-type models. For example, having a slushie business is great because you do not always need to attend to your customers. It is usually just self-service. For this purpose, the machine must comply with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act to accommodate a variety of customers. This means that the unit should be built considering users of all kinds. 

6. Water Filtration Systems

For units that need to be connected to the water supply, you may need to consider having a water filtration system, especially if you are unsure about the quality of your water. Having heavily contaminated water could disrupt the smooth operation of your slushie machine.

Therefore, it is better to ensure that the water supplied to the machine is free from harmful contaminants and other foreign substances so that the resulting product is safe to drink. In addition, the machine is protected from clogging and blockages. 

7. Voltage and Power 

A high voltage means high power consumption, a high product yield, and a fast operating time. But this is not always the case because other factors can also affect the product yield and operating time, such as the complexity of the drink recipe.

Remember to consider the expected volume of drinks you will make daily, the availability of power outlets, and if they have the right voltage. This requires some serious thinking and careful consideration. Refer to the product specifications of the unit for this kind of technical information. 

8. Cleaning and Maintenance

Slushie machines need regular cleaning, especially if they are being used every day. Bacteria and molds grow in unsanitary spots and stagnant water. If you don’t make another batch, it is best to spare time daily to rinse the container after use. Other parts, like the drip tray where small spills are caught, also need cleaning. 

9. Design

There are single-serve slushie makers intended for individual use only, like the Zoku slushie cup, which employs a freezer core that needs to be refrigerated overnight before it can be used. You can make slushies, milkshakes, and smoothies with these small machines.

Larger machines have multiple purposes and can make more kinds of frozen beverages and treats. They have powerful mixing blades that can break the ice into smaller pieces and large container tanks to fit several ingredients.

However, the conventional slushie machines cannot make milkshakes or smoothies because they have a  much thinner consistency that slushie machines cannot achieve. 

10. Food-grade materials

BPA-free plastics and FDA-approved materials – the unit you buy should comply with these criteria. You need to ensure that the parts of the unit where the drinks are contained, passed through, and even exposed are safe and high quality. The materials should be nontoxic. 

11. Other Accessories

Slushies aren’t the only drinks slushie makers can produce, even though they are named that way. When we think of slushies, snow cones, and shaved ice, we automatically think it’s just for kids. But, these machines can also make adult drinks, especially margaritas.

In addition, depending on the unit, some of these include other tools for making other kinds of drinks like shot glasses for liquor-based drinks and cups for snow cones. 

Conclusion

Slushie machines and similar devices intended for concocting drinks are now widely available in the market. And since you have unique needs and purpose as to why you want to purchase one, you should take the time to consider your options and figure out the specifics of your situation before you make that purchase. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Slushie Machines

Last update on 2023-04-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API